Rafael DeLima

Rafael Alonzo Delima

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 5' 11", Weight 175 lb.

• Born December 21, 1967 in Valencia, Venezuela

BR minors page

Biographical Information

Rafael DeLima has played and managed in the minors.

DeLima debuted in 1986 and made a minimal impact with the Elizabethton Twins (.228/~.367/.324) and Kenosha Twins (1 for 35, 4 BB, 11 K). He was much better with Kenosha in '87, hitting .273/~.381/.413 with 9 triples and 86 walks. In 1988, the 20-year-old outfielder batted .286/.380/.366 for the Orlando Twins, with 77 walks and 29 steals in 44 tries. He fielded .985, leading Southern League flyhawks.

DeLima made it to AAA still relatively young and hit .274/.330/.347 for the Portland Beavers, with just 18 swipes in 33 attempts. His walk total fell drastically to 37. In 1990, the Venezuelan batted just .202/.271/.271 for Portland. He was dropped back to Orlando in '91 and hit .249/.328/.335 (he once homered in both ends of a doubleheader), then wrapped up his stay in the Twins chain by going 6 for 36 with 8 walks and a double for the 1992 Orlando club.

In 1993, Rafael moved to the Mexican League and hit .327/.441/.431 with 92 walks, 86 runs and 32 steals in 48 tries for the Plataneros de Tabasco. He fell to .294/.398/.392 for Tabasco in '94. He split 1995 between Tabasco (.300/.391/.362) and the Ottawa Lynx (7 for 27, 5 BB). He was a replacement player with the 1995 Expos in spring training. In '96, he struggled with the Minatitlan Petroleros (.228/.342/.277 in 28 G). He got another chance in Mexico in 1997 and hit .269/.379/.349 between two clubs.

DeLima batted .304/.443/.380 for the 1998 Cafeteros de Cordoba, then wrapped up his playing career with the 1999 Rieleros de Aguascalientes (.298/.420/.404).

DeLima became manager of the VSL Phillies when the club was formed in 2005; he had already been coordinating the Philadelphia Phillies' Venezuelan academy for several years. He came stateside to coach for the Williamsport Crosscutters in 2012 GCL Phillies in 2013-2017, GCL Phillies East in 2018-2019, Jersey Shore Blue Claws in 2021, and FCL Phillies in 2022-2023.

Year-by-Year Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Organization	Playoffs
2005	VSL Phillies	Venezuelan Summer League	37-27	2nd	Philadelphia Phillies
2006	VSL Phillies	Venezuelan Summer League	41-25	1st (t)	Philadelphia Phillies	League Champs
2007	VSL Phillies	Venezuelan Summer League	36-31	5th	Philadelphia Phillies
2008	VSL Phillies	Venezuelan Summer League	32-33	4th	Philadelphia Phillies
2009	VSL Phillies	Venezuelan Summer League	27-42	6th	Philadelphia Phillies
2010	VSL Phillies	Venezuelan Summer League	32-36	5th	Philadelphia Phillies
2011	VSL Phillies	Venezuelan Summer League	32-38	5th	Philadelphia Phillies

Sources

• 2010 Phillies Media Guide
• 1989 and 1991 Baseball Guides
• 1988, 1990, 1992-1996 Baseball Almanacs
• The Mexican League: Comprehensive Player Statistics by Pedro Treto Cisneros
• Greatest 21 Days Blog